Adalat 10mg Capsules

ADALAT® 10 mg Capsules T04886

(nifedipine)

The name of your medicine is Adalat 10 mg Capsules but will be referred to as Adalat capsules throughout this Patient Information Leaflet.

Patient information Leaflet

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

• If you have more questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• This medicine has been prescribed for you.

• Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

In this leaflet:

1. What Adalat capsules are

2. Before you take Adalat capsules

3. How to take Adalat capsules

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Adalat capsules

6. Further information

1. What Adalat capsules are

Adalat capsules contain nifedipine, which belongs to a group of medicines called calcium antagonists.

Adalat capsules are used to treat high blood pressure, angina (chest pain)or a condition called Raynaud’s phenomenonwhich causes discolouration (often whitening) of the fingers and toes.

For high blood pressure: Adalat capsules work by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels. This makes the blood flow more easily and lowers blood pressure. Lower blood pressure reduces the strain on your heart.

For angina: Adalat capsules work by relaxing and expanding the arteries supplying the heart. This allows more blood and oxygen to reach the heart and decreases the strain on it. Your angina attacks will be less severe and less frequent if there is less strain on the heart.

Adalat capsules can increase the risk of serious heart problems in patients with high blood pressure or angina. Because of this, Adalat capsules are only used in these patients if no other treatments are appropriate.

For Raynaud's phenomenon: Adalat capsules work by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels in the fingers and toes. This helps ensure a good blood supply.

2. Before you take Adalat capsules

Do not take Adalat capsules:

• If you have had a heart attack within the last month.

• If you get a sudden angina attack. Adalat capsules will not help relieve symptoms of angina quickly.

• If you have unstable angina.

• If you are allergic to the active ingredient (nifedipine), to any other similar medicines (known as dihydropyridines) or to any of the other ingredients. The ingredients of Adalat capsules are listed in section 6.

• If you are taking rifampicin, an antibiotic.

• If you have been told that you have a narrowing of the aortic heart valve (stenosis).

• If you have ever had a collapse caused by a heart problem (cardiogenic shock), during which you became breathless, pale and had a cold sweat and dry mouth.

Food and drink with Adalat capsules

You can take Adalat capsules either with or without food.

Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking Adalat capsules.

Do not start taking Adalat capsules within 3 days of drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit. Tell your doctor if you have had grapefruit or grapefruit juice in this time. Also, do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit whilst taking Adalat capsules. Grapefruit juice is known to increase the blood levels of the active ingredient, nifedipine. This effect can last for at least 3 days.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are planning a family, tell your doctor before taking Adalat capsules.

You may be able to use Adalat capsules, but only after special consideration and agreement by your doctor.

Do not take Adalat capsules if you are breastfeeding. If you need to take Adalat capsules while breastfeeding, tell your doctor before taking the tablets.

Driving and using machines

Adalat capsules may make you feel dizzy, faint, extremely tired or have visual disturbances.

Do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected in this way.

This may be more likely when you first start treatment, if you change tablets, or if you have drunk alcohol.

3. How to take Adalat capsules

Take the capsules as prescribed by your doctor.

• To start with, you may be given a lower strength (5 mg) capsule every 8 hours. This allows your doctor to monitor how you are responding so that the best long-term dose can be identified.

• The dose can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg every 8 hours.

• Lower doses may be prescribed for elderly patients or for patients who have liver problems.

• Swallow the capsules whole with a little water.

• Continue to take the capsules for as long as your doctor has told you to.

Do not take them with grapefruit juice.

You can take Adalat capsules either with or without food.

POM

Use in children: Adalat capsules are not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age, because there are only limited data on the safety and efficacy in this population.

If you take too many capsules

Get medical help immediately. If possible, take your capsules or the box with you to show the doctor.

Taking too many capsules may cause your blood pressure to become too low and your heartbeats to speed up or slow down. It may also lead to an increase in your blood sugar level or an increase in the acidity of your blood, swelling in the lungs, low blood oxygen levels and disturbances in consciousness, possibly leading to unconsciousness.

• a more severe decrease in a specific class of white blood cell (agranulocytosis)

• increased blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)

• decreased skin sensitivity (hypoaesthesia)

• drowsiness (somnolence)

• eye pain

• chest pain (angina pectoris)

• heartburn or indigestion (gastroesophageal sphincter insufficiency)

• yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin (jaundice)

• sensitivity to light (photosensitivity allergic reaction)

• small, raised areas of bleeding in the skin (palpable purpura)

• joint pain

• muscle pain

All of these symptoms usually go away when treatment with Adalat capsules is stopped. Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/vellowcard.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Adalat capsules

Adalat 10mg Capsules should be stored in their original container below 25°C and protected from strong light.

KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.

Only remove a capsule from the box or blister strip when you are ready to take it.

If the capsules become discoloured or show any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Further information What Adalat capsules contain

Each capsule contains 10mg of the active ingredient nifedipine in an orange, elongated, soft gelatin capsule